Patents Issued in January 2, 2007
  • Patent number: 7155999
    Abstract: A strap wrench which includes a plurality of gripping pads located on the strap that facilitates tight engagement of the cylindrical object that is used to be located thereabout for the purpose of gripping and turning of the cylindrical object. The strap wrench also includes a brake that provides for securely locking of the position of the strap when it is in its tightly mounted position preventing any loosening movement of the strap. The brake includes a ratcheting mechanism that permits movement of the handle in only one position when the brake is in the locked position. The strap may include a joint assembly which will permit the strap to be separated to be located in conjunction with a cylindrical object and then rejoined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Leon Helfet
  • Patent number: 7156000
    Abstract: A wrench for use in connection with a lock nut including outwardly extending protrusions. The wrench includes a base portion and a finger and an engagement tab extending from the base portion. The finger is spaced from the engagement portion with a recess provided between the finger and the engagement portion. To rotate the nut, the finger is positioned over the top surface of the nut. The engagement tab is angled downwardly relative to the finger to engage the outwardly extending protrusions of the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Lucien J. Wroblewski
  • Patent number: 7156001
    Abstract: The adjustable wrench has two wrench elements each having a jaw portion and a body portion, each body portion having angled tongues and grooves, slideably mounted opposite one another with the jaw portions opposing each other. Between the two body portions is an actuator having two sides. Each side has angled tongues and grooves corresponding to and slideably engaging the angled tongues and grooves of each of the body portions. The actuator moves along a longitudinal axis of the handle thereby urging the wrench elements and jaws towards and away from one another depending on the direction of movement of the actuator, by interaction of the inclined grooves, acting as wedges using the inclined plane principle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Duron Plastics Limited
    Inventor: Gary Paul Cluthe
  • Patent number: 7156002
    Abstract: A tool shaft and tool bit arrangement is disclosed to include a hollow shaft, which has a hexagonal through hole through the two ends to accommodate a number of tool bits in a line, a locating block held down by a clamp in a radial through hole near the front end of the shaft to hold down the first tool bit, a steel ball held down by a clamp in a radial through hole near the rear end of the shaft to hold down the last tool bit, and a grip fixedly fastened to the periphery of the rear end of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Fu-Yi Chan
  • Patent number: 7156003
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an indexing mechanism which provides a releasing function to permit the rotation of tool and handle members relative to each other. The indexing mechanism is positioned through two extensions positioned on either the tool or the handle and a third member positioned between the two extensions. Each of the two extensions and the central member includes a splined orifice. A splined pin is positioned in the splined orifices and is moveable to permit release or engagement of the handle and the tool so that the handle and the tool can be released for rotation relative to each other and re-engaged to form a rigid connection between the tool and the handle. The indexing mechanism of the present invention minimizes sticking of the splined pin during release and re-engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Charles A. Cole
  • Patent number: 7156004
    Abstract: An adjustable wrench for gripping and rotation of a generally cylindrical canister, such as an oil filter canister, includes handles which are pivotally connected to each other for rotation about a first axis. Each handle is also connected by an articulatable joint to a gripping jaw that may be positioned about the canister or body, to thereby alter the angle of the handles with respect to the jaws in order to enable use of the tool in confined spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Lisle Corporation
    Inventors: Michael L. Whitehead, Thomas J. Burrows
  • Patent number: 7156005
    Abstract: The hand tool has a chuck with a central axial opening through which bits or other tool elements are selectively moved from a retracted position to an extended operative position. A mechanical element automatically engages the tool element, such that as the tool element reaches its operative position, it is automatically locked in place, such that it cannot be retracted without user intervention to retract the mechanical element and thereby permit retraction of the tool element. In a specific preferred embodiment the mechanical element is at least one pivotally mounted cam, biased to engage the tool element once the tool element is extended to its operative position. A user-operable mechanism such as a collar for example, spring-biased against retraction, is arranged to contact the cam when retracted against the force of the spring, to rotate the cam so that it no longer engages the tool element, thus allowing the tool element to be retracted to its storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Duron Plastics Limited
    Inventor: Gary Paul Cluthe
  • Patent number: 7156006
    Abstract: A cutting insert rotated about its axis may be utilized during a metalworking operation and applied against the rotating workpiece to enhance tool performance. A method, including an assembly with a rotatable insert mounted to a toolholder may be utilized to achieve this result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Kennametal Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Hyatt, Linn R. Andras, Ted R. Massa
  • Patent number: 7156007
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for crushing a hydrous polymer jelly, comprising two rolls (11,12) located axially parallel and rotating in opposite directions between which a nip (13) for the passage of the polymer gel (10) is formed. In order to achieve a more uniform and cheaper size reduction of polymer gels, the present invention proposes to form one roll as a cutting roll (11) which is provided with at least one axially extending cross cutting element (15) having a cutting edge (17) and with a radially extending longitudinal cutting element (14) provided with a cutting edge (18) which runs around it, and to form the other roll as a back-up roll (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Stockhausen GmbH
    Inventors: Detlef Albin, Jürgen Schulte, Uwe Günther
  • Patent number: 7156008
    Abstract: A workpiece stop is provided for a power tool such as a miter saw, wherein the stop is selectively movable to various positions for respective modes of operation. In one position, the stop is stored out of the way during non-use. In another position, the stop acts as a length-of-cut stop. In yet another position, the stop acts as a workpiece guide, especially useful for supporting crown molding during cutting. An embodiment of the stop includes an elongate main body portion with a guide tab portion and a stop tab portion projecting from the main body portion, and the stop is preferably mounted for selective movement both slidably and pivotally. Depending on the position of the stop, the guide tab portion or the stop tab portion are positioned to project adjacent a workpiece support surface on the saw to limit a position of a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Mark S. Talesky
  • Patent number: 7156009
    Abstract: When a retainer collar 77 is rotated with respect to a punch guide 29 in a turnable manner, an upper punch driver 49 which pierces the retainer collar 77 so as to be movable up and down is rotated with respect to the punch guide 29. As a result, since the upper punch driver 49 is screwed into a lower punch driver 37 and is rotated with respect to the lower punch driver 37 provided on the punch guide 29 movablly up and down, an up-down positional relationship between the upper punch driver 49 and the lower punch driver 37 can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Amada Company, Limited
    Inventors: Masami Iwamoto, Shigeru Endo
  • Patent number: 7156010
    Abstract: A disk cutter including an annular disk-shaped base, a plurality of tip supports formed integrally along an outer circumference of the base, a gullet is defined between adjacent ones of the tip supports, a plurality of tip inserts respectively fixed to the tip supports, a plurality of outer slits formed at an outer circumferential portion of the base at given intervals, each of the outer slits having an outer end opening to the gullet, a plurality of intermediate slit pairs formed at a radially intermediate portion of the base at the given intervals, each of the intermediate slit pairs is located between adjacent ones of the outer slits. Each intermediate slit pair includes a substantially J-shaped first slit and a substantially inverted J-shaped second slit arranged in point symmetrical relationship with the first slit. Each of the first and second slits is filled with a viscous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Tenryu Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tanehiko Asada
  • Patent number: 7156011
    Abstract: A channel cutting tool may include an arbor that connects to a rotating spindle of a machining tool or a similar spinning part of a machining tool. Two slot cutting blades may be fixedly mounted to the arbor. An inner washer may be fixedly mounted on the arbor between the cutting blades and establish the blade spacing. An outer washer may be rotationally mounted to the inner washer with a smaller thickness to facilitate rotation relative to the two cutting blades. The arbor rotates about a longitudinal rotation axis, which also may be the rotation axis for the cutting blades, the inner washer, and the outer washer. The outer washer functions as a depth-limiting safeguard for the channel cutting tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Tony Morris, Mike Hankins, Fritz Kuck, Kenny Smith, Dave Campbell, Doug Coutts, Rich Folster, Jeff Fint, Chad Schepel
  • Patent number: 7156012
    Abstract: A pneumatically operated fastener driving tool capable of reducing a time period from operation timing of a trigger to downward movement of a driver blade for fastener driving, and reducing a time period from the release timing of the trigger to a timing at which respective components are returned to their initial positions for a subsequent nail driving. As components a main valve and a trigger valve is provided. The main valve is movable within a main valve chamber connected to a main valve control channel. The trigger valve selectively provides fluid communication between the accumulator and a main valve chamber through the main valve control channel and between the main valve chamber and the atmosphere through the main valve control channel. A ratio of cross-sectional area of the main valve control channel to an internal volume of the main valve chamber is defined to a specified ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiichi Komazaki, Yoshinori Ishizawa, Masashi Nishida
  • Patent number: 7156013
    Abstract: An energy cylinder for operating a valve of a turbine, in particular of a steam turbine, is disclosed, wherein a cylinder housing and a control block are combined into a common block. The latter has two diametrically arranged lateral surfaces on which a control valve and a logic valve for controlling the pressure medium flows are arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Bosch Rexroth AG
    Inventors: Cristopher Gibson, Katia Mild
  • Patent number: 7156014
    Abstract: A compressor has a swash plate and shoes. Surfaces of the swash plate slides on flat surfaces of the shoes. A sliding film is formed on each of the swash plate surfaces. The sliding films are formed of a polyamide-imide resin that contains at least solid lubricant. The polyamide-amide resin has a glass transition temperature of 270° C., a tensile strength at room temperature of 200 MPa, or more imide groups than amide groups. When a base portion of the swash plate is made of an aluminum-based metal, the sliding films are formed on the base portion with middle layers made of anodized aluminum in between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Takahiro Sugioka, Manabu Sugiura, Takahiro Hoshida, Masami Osako, Toshihisa Shimo, Hitotoshi Murase, Takayuki Kato
  • Patent number: 7156015
    Abstract: A combined baler/bale wrapper (1) comprises a chassis (5) on which a baler (10) and a bale wrapper (11) are mounted. The baler (10) comprises a stationary segment (18), a lower segment (19) and an upper segment (20) all of which carry bale forming rollers (25) which define a bale forming chamber (15) within which a round bale (2) is formed. The lower segment (19) and the upper segment (20) are pivotal about first and second pivot axes (35,40), respectively from a bale forming position (FIG. 5) to a discharge position (FIG. 1) for transferring a bale upwardly rearwardly from of the bale forming chamber (15) directly onto first and second bale supporting rollers (50) of the bale wrapper (11). The bale supporting rollers (50) rotate the bale (2) about a first wrapping axis (53) while a carrier ring (55) simultaneously revolves a pair of wrapping material dispensers (54) about a second horizontal wrapping axis (56) for dispensing wrapping material onto the bale (2) for wrapping thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Welmount Limited
    Inventors: Padraic Christopher McHale, Martin William McHale, James John Heaney, Gerard Patrick Sheridan, Patrick Thomas O'Connor, John Patrick Biggins
  • Patent number: 7156016
    Abstract: A juice extractor and associated method includes an extractor frame, extractor cup mounted for movement within the extractor frame and a cup bridge mounted within the extractor frame. A juice manifold is integral with the cup bridge for receiving juice during extractor operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Schrader, Jose Marcelo Carvalho
  • Patent number: 7156017
    Abstract: A coloring book for method is provided creating a picture 51 by different layered stencils with the steps of: Lining up the border stencil holes 21 or holes marked for lining up, then coloring each stencil page for each individual color of the picture. When all colors or pages are colored the master page 20 will have a completed picture 51.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Robert Louis Ingraselino
  • Patent number: 7156018
    Abstract: A printing couple in a printing machine is comprised of at least three cylinders, a forme cylinder, a transfer cylinder and a counter-pressure cylinder. The counter-pressure cylinder forms a printing location or point in cooperation with the transfer cylinder. The transfer cylinder is mounted in at least one lever which can be pivoted about an eccentrically pivoting axis in relation to the rotational axis of the forme cylinder. When the three cylinders are in a print position, a connecting plane through the axis of rotation of the forme cylinder and the pivoting axis of the lever forms an angle of between 25° and 65° with a plane through the axis of rotation of the cylinder forming the printing point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Helmut Holm, Manfred Herrmann Liebler, Manfred Walter Wirth
  • Patent number: 7156019
    Abstract: A rotary roller printing press has a printing unit for printing a web in six printed pages arranged axially next to each other. A superstructure is used to cut the web longitudinally into three partial webs. A folding installation is used to fold the partial webs and includes at least one roller for transporting the partial webs, and at least one folding apparatus. The printing unit, the at least one roller for transporting the partial webs of the folding installation, and the folding apparatus, which is arranged after in the direction of web travel, the other devices, are each separately mechanically driven by a separate drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Burkard Otto Herbert, Bernd Kurt Masuch, Karl Robert Schäfer, Anton Weis, Kurt Johannes Weschenfelder
  • Patent number: 7156020
    Abstract: A composite stamp pad is made of two layers joined together at their interface. The top layer of the composite stamp pad, which contacts the raised points side of the stamp, has a dense and firm fine denier fibrous structure in order to be able to transfer ink to the raised points of the stamp with high precision and without depositing ink into the recessed areas located between the raised points of the stamp. The bottom layer of the composite stamp pad has a lighter and softer coarser denier fibrous structure in order to be able to have a large ink holding capacity. A method of manufacturing the composite stamp pad is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: American Felt and Filter Company
    Inventor: Frank F. Kochesky
  • Patent number: 7156021
    Abstract: A machine for processing sheets of printing material has a cylinder for transporting the sheets and sheet supports which are mounted such that they can be rotated about a sheet support axis of rotation and in each case contain supporting segments for pressing the sheets onto the cylinder. The supporting segments are mounted such that they can be pivoted as desired into an active position and into a passive position about pivot axes that are skewed relative to the sheet support axis of rotation or about rotary joints determining the pivot axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Peter Förch, Alexander Klee, Markus Möhringer, Stefan Mutschall, Paul Nicola, Marius Stelter
  • Patent number: 7156022
    Abstract: A device is provided for the storage of a blanket or a dressing that is to be supplied to a cylinder of a printing machine. A retainer is usable, in a first operating position, to retain the blanket in a first storage position. The blanket can leave the first storage position when it is disengaged from the retainer as the retainer is moved to a second operating position. A second storage position is situated below the first storage position and is vertically spaced from the first storage position along the length of the blanket to be supported. The second storage position stores the blanket that is detached from the retainer before it is supplied to the cylinder. The blankets are stored lengthwise without touching each other. Blankets to be applied to the cylinder are stored in the storage positions one on top of the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Georg Schneider, Karl Robert Schäfer
  • Patent number: 7156023
    Abstract: When an ignition system is installed, the spatial position of an ignition device (5a to 5g) in relation to the surrounding, its geographical position, is as yet not determined. The user is required to exercise extreme caution in order to ensure that the ignition devices (5a to 5g) connect to the ignition system (1) in accordance with a predetermined blasting plan. A specially trained person must therefore systematically carry out the sequential connection (compulsory sequence) of each ignition device (5a to 5g) to the bus line (3) of the ignition system. i.e. logging. The person connecting the ignition devices must execute the ignition of device programming operation in all kinds of conditions, in open country, with utmost caution. This represents a considerable time delay for a blast. If one ignition device is overlooked during logging, the already entered data have to be reprogrammed, which costs time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Dynamit Nobel GmbH Explosivstoff-und Systemtechnik
    Inventors: Walter Aebi, Jan Petzold, Heinz Schäfer, Andreas Zemla
  • Patent number: 7156024
    Abstract: A warhead charge device (18, 18?, 18?, 18??) arranged to carry liquid explosive (11), and which device is for use in an ammunition cargo unit such as a missile. The device incorporates at least two confined spaces (2, 6, 9) equipped with or, while the function of the device is in operation, capable of receiving liquid explosive (11) or components thereof via a device such as a pump device arranged to transfer completely or partially the explosive or components thereof from at least the first confined space to the other confined space, or vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: BAE Systems Bofors AB
    Inventors: Torsten Ronn, Nils Johansson, Thomas Widlund
  • Patent number: 7156025
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for making the combustion of a pyrotechnic compostion independent of the ambient temperature when combusting a pyrotechnic composition in a preinflator or combustion chamber (2) incorporating outlets but being otherwise enclosed. As claimed in the present invention this is enabled by controlling the burning pressure of the pyrotechnic composition so that it does not exceed a predetermined value. The characteristic feature of the present invention is that the preinflator (2), in which combustion of the pyrotechnic composition takes place, incorporates a plurality of gas discharge perforations (6–9) or outlets, each of which is initially sealed by a bursting disc or foil seal (10) that is designed to rupture when the said burning pressure in the combustion chamber (2) is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Thorbjorn Ostin
  • Patent number: 7156026
    Abstract: An ergonomically contoured frame for accommodating a person in a seated position includes an upper section carried by a base section. The base section includes upwardly extending legs, while the upper section includes downwardly extending legs for adjustably interconnecting with the upwardly extending legs to vary the height of the controller stand to accommodate different players. The base section includes a generally U-shaped base carrying the upwardly extending legs. The upper section has a generally U-shaped top integral with and interconnecting the downwardly extending legs. A foot controller platform is carried by the base section for carrying a foot controller for a video game. A hand controller platform is carried by the upper section for carrying a hand controller for a video game. Securing members are carried by the platforms for securing the controllers to each platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: W. Richard McClellion
  • Patent number: 7156027
    Abstract: An object to be treated such as soil, burned fly ashes, or the like containing organic halides is introduced to a hermetically sealable thermal decomposition furnace 310 and heated under reduced pressure. Emitted gases of the object to be treated are treated so that the generation and recomposition of dioxins are supressed. A heated residue of the object to be treated is cooled after being purged with a purge gas which is organic halide-free and has no organic halide generating capacity. Thus, the concentration of organic halides remaining in the heated residue can be held to an extremely low level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Houei Syoukai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Yokoyama, Tooru Kodama, Yasuo Mishima, Katuo Takamiya
  • Patent number: 7156028
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a knife for and a method of zero till or minimum till seeding and fertilizing. The knife is particularly adapted for dry land conditions producing minimum solid disturbance and very shallow operation. The knife has a high penetration angle preferably of 45 degrees which permits the blade to enter high trash surface cover with little tendency to plug due to trash accumulation. The blade has a forward angle of attack, the lower cutting edge advancing before the upper cutting edge, serving to make a clean cut in the soil surface without accumulating trash. Seed and/or fertilizer conduits are attached to or incorporated in the trailing face of the blade in which the outlets may be spaced for controlled placement of the materials. By the method a furrow is cut having a substantial transverse component in an operation with a substantial forward component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: CNH Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Terry Emerson Summach, Bradley T Summach
  • Patent number: 7156029
    Abstract: A generally conically-shaped collapsible grain chute removably affixed to the bulk seed distributor of an agricultural planter to provide an effective and efficient apparatus for emptying the bulk seed bin. The chute may include a cinch cord to selectively open and close the chute to control the flow of seed therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventor: Travis Harnetiaux
  • Patent number: 7156030
    Abstract: The pontoon boat lift system comprises a plurality of lifts mounted to an underside of a deck of the pontoon boat. Each lift comprises a leg that pivotally mounted to the underside of the deck and is moveable between a raised position and a lowered position. A free end of each leg includes its own support pad that contacts, for example, a lake bottom when the legs are in the lowered position. The operation of the lifts is coordinated to raise the pontoon boat above the surface of the water at desired shoreline locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Derner Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Derner, Alan A. Derner, Brian P. Derner, Richard B. Derner
  • Patent number: 7156031
    Abstract: A cruise ship or pleasure boat is disclosed that has an open or semi-open main public space situated around the axial longitudinal plane of the ship and at the base of port and starboard longitudinal superstructures. The port and starboard longitudinal superstructures that border the public space are inclined away from the axial longitudinal plane of the ship so that the ratio of the width of the combination comprising the longitudinal superstructures and the public space to the width of the ship at the waterline is from 1.3 to 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignees: Chantiers de l'Atlantique
    Inventors: Laurent Mermier, Joel Bretecher
  • Patent number: 7156032
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed wherein nanostructures or microstructures are disposed on a surface of a body (such as a submersible vehicle) that is adapted to move through a fluid, such as water. The nanostructures or microstructures are disposed on the surface in a way such that the contact between the surface and the fluid is reduced and, correspondingly, the friction between the surface and the fluid is reduced. In an illustrative embodiment, the surface is a surface on a submarine or other submersible vehicle (such as a torpedo). Illustratively, electrowetting principles are used to cause the fluid to at least partially penetrate the nanostructures or microstructures on the surface of the body in order to selectively create greater friction in a desired location of the surface. Such penetration may be used, for example, to create drag that alters the direction or speed of travel of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Avinoam Kornblit, Timofei Nikita Kroupenkine, Mary Louise Mandich, Tobias Manuel Schneider, Joseph Ashley Taylor, Donald Weiss, Shu Yang
  • Patent number: 7156033
    Abstract: A flotation device for maintaining an aircraft in a floating and stable condition is provided. The flotation device comprises at least one flotation bladder mounted to the aircraft and an inflation mechanism for inflating the flotation bladder. A method for maintaining an aircraft in a floating condition is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: FloatLogic, Inc.
    Inventors: Tony W. Mears, David G. Walder, Thomas Edward Berg
  • Patent number: 7156034
    Abstract: A steering system for a boat can include a main switch for turning power on and off, an emergency stop switch for stopping an engine, a steering wheel for operation by an operator, a steering wheel displacement sensor for detecting the operator's displacement of the steering wheel, a rudder device with an electric actuator for providing a force to move a rudder about a rotational shaft according to the detected steering wheel displacement, and a controller for outputting a signal to drive the electric actuator according to the detected steering wheel displacement. The controller can drive the electric actuator of the rudder device to return the rudder to its center position when the engine is stopped by the main switch or an auxiliary stop switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Marine Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Mizutani
  • Patent number: 7156035
    Abstract: A deflector for offsetting a streamer being towed by its lead-in by a seismic survey vessel comprises a wing-shaped body which is coupled to the lead-in and shaped to produce a sideways force which urges the lead-in laterally with respect to the direction of movement of the vessel. A boom extends rearwardly from the wing-shaped body, and forms part of an arrangement by which the angle of the wing-shaped body in the water, and therefore the sideways force produced by it, can be varied. The upper end of the wing-shaped body is directly connected to the underside of an elongate float.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: WesternGeco, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Philippe Hocquet, Ottar Kristiansen, Emmanuel Keskes, Philippe Saint-Pere
  • Patent number: 7156036
    Abstract: The launch and recovery system provides a dive wing and drogue assembly that is towed behind a ship by cables. The dive wing imparts a downward thrust to the drogue, so that the drogue is towed underwater, placing tension on the cables. The cables become stiff due to the speed of the ship and the weight and depth of the dive wing and drogue assembly, so that the cables take on the character of rails. The boat or watercraft to be launched is placed on a sling carriage that is slidably mounted on the cables, so that the sling slides down the cables, launching the watercraft in the stable wake of the ship. The watercraft is recovered by tying a winch cable or line to the watercraft, winching the watercraft back onto the sling, and winching the sling back onto the fantail of the ship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Ronald L. Seiple
  • Patent number: 7156037
    Abstract: A wind-driven power station mounted floating in deep water, comprising a machine house (8) including a generator (not s shown), regulating devices (not shown), rotor axle (9) and rotor blade (10), in which the machine house (8) is mounted at a tower (2) that mainly is floating in an upright position, and where the stability of the tower (2) is provided by means of ballast (5, 6) being placed in the lower part of the tower (2). The power station is kept in position and stabilized by means of anchor systems (12, 13, 14, 15, alternatively 16, 17, 18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Sway AS
    Inventor: Eystein Borgen
  • Patent number: 7156038
    Abstract: A frame adapted to receive containers, particularly empty plastic beverage containers, such as two-liter plastic pop bottles, and adapted to be attached to a dock structure. When the dock structure, frame and bottles are in mutual cooperation, the containers provide buoyancy to the dock structure. The containers are preferably screwed into the frame and may be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Earth Angel Inc.
    Inventor: John Phillip Brown
  • Patent number: 7156039
    Abstract: A technique for guiding a riser in an offshore environment. The technique utilizes a keel guide that permits the passage of connectors or other components therethrough. A bushing is mounted within the keel guide to guide the relative linear motion of the riser assembly through the keel guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Alan Charnock, Amrik Singh Nijjar, Marcus Alan Smedley, Juan Carlos Gillen
  • Patent number: 7156040
    Abstract: A semi-submersible vessel has a pair of vertically spaced pontoons with varied buoyancy. The lower pontoon is retained in a close vertical proximity to the upper pontoon when the vessel is in transit. The lower pontoon is ballasted at the deployment site, dropping the pontoon to a depth of about 32 meters below the first pontoon baseline. As a result, stability and motion characteristics of the vessel are significantly improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Deepwater Technology Group Pte. Ltd
    Inventors: Aziz Merchant, Anis Hussain
  • Patent number: 7156041
    Abstract: Anchor comprising a fluke and a shank which at a first end is attached to the fluke and a second end that is situated opposite to the first end, is provided with means for attachments of the anchor to a penetration line or anchor line, in which the shank comprises two shank legs, which at the second end are connected to each other using a pin, in which the portion of the pin situated within the shank legs also serves as connection means for an end link or end shackle of the penetration line or anchor line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Vrijhof Ankers Beheer B.V.
    Inventor: Gijsbertus Degenkamp
  • Patent number: 7156042
    Abstract: A device for unwinding a wire providing data transmission of any type (instructions or accounts) between two mobile elements (1) and (7) operating in a fluid, includes one or two reels housed in a winder (2). The winder (2), capable of being dissociated from the two mobile elements (1) and (7) includes stabilizing elements for moving away the reeling point from the launching mobile element (7). The invention is applicable to wire-transmission between a submarine and a self-propelled torpedo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: DCN
    Inventors: Rene Vire, Renaud Malaval
  • Patent number: 7156043
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method for making a boat. The boat includes a port side positioned opposite from a starboard side. The boat also includes a floor and stingers supports positioned within the hull. The method includes providing a insert having two spaced-apart elongated portions interconnected by at least two spaced-apart transverse portions that extend between the elongated portions. The elongated portions are sized and relatively positioned for one of the elongated portions to extend along the port side of the hull and the other of the elongated portions to extend along the starboard side of the hull. The method also includes positioning the insert in a chamber defined between a male mold piece and a female mold piece. The method further includes providing fibrous reinforcing material that surrounds the insert within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: VEC Industries, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Ronald C. Sahr, Michael D. Nelson, Robert L. Retka
  • Patent number: 7156044
    Abstract: An apparatus conjoinable to a vehicle antenna includes an anchor section formed from STYROFOAM (polystyrene) and provided with a vertically registered sleeve extending along a longitudinal axis. The sleeve extends upwardly from a bottom surface of the anchor and terminates subjacent to a top surface thereof. Coextensively shaped wing sections are conjoinable with the anchor section and equidistantly spaced about an outer surface thereof. A mechanism is included for positioning the apparatus about the vehicle antenna and allows for free rotation thereof in the wind. The apparatus positioning mechanism is disposed within the anchor section and is sized and shaped so that the anchor section can be maintained at a stable position during operating conditions. The apparatus positioning mechanism is formed from non-corrosive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: John W. J. Davis
  • Patent number: 7156045
    Abstract: A coating machine having a coating material discharging mechanism for discharging a previously filled coating material under pressure to an atomizing mechanism wherein a coating material bag for filling a coating material is housed in a coating material discharging chamber of a predetermined volume and an inlet/exit port of an operating fluid is disposed for exerting a pressure from the outside of the coating material bag thereby discharging the coating material under pressure, while crushing the coating material bag, whereby paint or other coating material can be discharged under pressure reliably by a small driving force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Trinity Industrial Corporation
    Inventors: Takao Ueno, Takao Nomura
  • Patent number: 7156046
    Abstract: A plasma CVD apparatus in which microwave power is supplied into a reaction chamber provided inside an annular waveguide through an antenna provided on the inner peripheral part of the waveguide to produce a plasma inside the reaction chamber and to form a film by a vapor growth synthesizing method. A cooler is disposed between the annular waveguide and the reaction chamber to maintain the low temperature of the annular waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tamagaki, Tadao Okimoto, Hideki Yutaka
  • Patent number: 7156047
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for fabricating a semiconductor device using plasma, whereby a semiconductor device fabricating process using plasma provides significantly greater uniformity. The apparatus includes a process chamber, a first electrode through which a radio frequency (RF) power is supplied into the process chamber, a second electrode having a semiconductor substrate placed thereon, wherein the second electrode is disposed in the process chamber to face the first electrode and generates plasma used in fabricating a semiconductor device on the semiconductor substrate using the RF power, and a confinement ring assembly disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, including a first confinement ring that moves in the vertical direction and a second confinement ring that surrounds the first confinement ring and moves in the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-Woo Kang, Jong-Sun Hyun
  • Patent number: 7156048
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the aquaculture of marine deposit feeders, such as Arenicola marina and Arenicola defodiens. The method comprises providing a foodstuff such as brewery yeast or waste from fish farms within the substrate housing the worms. The foodstuff is conveniently particulate or microparticulate to aid intimate admixture with a substrate, which is typically sand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Seabait Limited
    Inventors: Peter James William Olive, Stephen Craig, Peter Brian Douglas Cowin